Validation of a nutrient adequacy score for use with women and children

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a nutrient adequacy score to be used by nutrition programs for women and children. The study population included 1,431 children, teenagers, and pregnant and lactating women. A dietary score was developed to be limited if certain targeted subgroups of major food groups were not included. Scores were related to Mean Adequacy Ratios (MARs), truncated indexes of the percent of the Recommended Dietary Allowances for protein, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, and vitamin C through the use of correlation/regression analysis. Separate analyses were run for each of nine different population segments. Regression coefficients were used to generate predicted MAR values that were, in turn, used to categorize individuals according to certain cut-off points. Individuals were also categorized by their actual MARs, according to the same cut-off points. These categorizations provided the basis for validating the score. The score correctly classified 69% to 98% of the persons in each population segment. The score was most sensitive for population segments that have a large proportion of persons below a particular cut-off. Just as important, the score was simple to implement, requiring just three steps from assessing the food frequency to determining risk.